When is this council going to decide what to do with the findings of an independent consultant that found the city manager was enduring a toxic work environment? When is council also going to make public the facts that are contained in this report? Continuing to wait and punt this down the road is only resulting in more and more speculation in the public arena, and that is never a good thing,

So, Nanaimo City Council........ you have had this report for over a month now, and it is time you made a decision as to how to address the problems identified. A recent petition is now suggesting this is an issue of racism on the part of the mayor, and that is not the kind of publicity we need. Deal with it!

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

The Nanaimo RCMP is asking for the public's assistance in identifying the male shown in the attached photo who is a suspect in at least two recent thefts.

On Wednesday August 2 at approximately 3:15 pm the male allegedly stole a lady's purse while she shopped at Fairway Market located in the North Town Centre Mall. Then on Sunday August 6 at approximately 5 pm he struck again, allegedly stealing lotto tickets from the Shoppers Drug Mart in the Country Club Mall.

The suspect male is white, 40-50 years of age, 5 ft.10, short hair, greying on the sides. If you know the identity of this individual, please call the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-7540-2345. If you wish to remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com text 274637, keyword Nanaimo or call 1-800-222-8477.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Saturday, August
26, The Victoria Crescent Association is proud to present our
second street fair of the summer – and Pro-Wrestling is the main event!

Beginning at noon, there
will be all kinds of kid’s activities: from face painting to games. Slide down a
gigantic 35-foot blow-up slide, bounce around in a big play fort. Try your
skills at jousting or put on a Sumo Wrestling Suit and take your opponent to the
mat – AND IT’S ALL FREE!

Then get ready for our main
event at 6 o’clock - scream, yell or boo for your favourite Vancouver Island Pro
Wrestler, who will be performing live, right in a ring set up in the middle of
Victoria Crescent, downtown.

So don’t forget, Saturday,
August 26– Crescent Day on Victoria Crescent in downtown Nanaimo.
A whole lot of good, wacky, crazy fun for the Whole Family!

Thursday, August 10, 2017

A petition started by Zoe Todd has gathered 326 signatures so far. In part the petition says:Action needs to be taken now. It is time for Council to act upon the legacy of violence against Indigenous women in Canada, and to acknowledge the violence Ms. Samra has endured in her duties as Nanaimo's CAO. It is time for an official apology to be issued by municipal leadership for the violence against Ms. Samra, and it is time for Mayor McKay to resign.

FIVE FIRES IN THE PAST WEEK ALONEEveryone has a role to play in
preventing brush/wild fires"The number of fires are very concerning, especially since the majority are human caused." Umesh Lal Fire Prevention Officer August is traditionally the
most active month for brush/wild fire season as a result of the extremely dry
conditions. Given the number of fires the City has recently had, and observing
what is happening in the interior, Nanaimo Fire Rescue is encouraging the
community to remain vigilant when outdoors regarding fire
safety.

There have been 15 brush/wild fires during this past month compared to zero last year. Five of those fires happened within the past week alone. Four of the fires are attributed to discarded cigarettes, three were intentionally set and one was caused by fireworks.

Saturday, August 05, 2017

At-Risk PopulationReduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activity. The elderly and the young should also take it easy. To find out if you are at risk CHECK HERE.General PopulationConsider reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activity if you experience coughing or throat irritation.An index of 7 (high risk) is forecast to remain through Saturday night and Sunday.

Friday, August 04, 2017

City Press Release:Independent consultant confirms Mayor, Councillors created hostile work environment for City of Nanaimo CAONANAIMO, July 31, 2017 – An independent consultant has confirmed that the conduct of Mayor Bill McKay, Coun. Diane Brennan and former Coun. Wendy Pratt has created a hostile work environment for City of Nanaimo CAO Tracy Samra.

The official report of independent consultant Roslyn Goldner was released to council July 20. Samra filed complaints under the City of Nanaimo's Respectful Workplace Policy and violence in the workplace policy resulting in an independent investigation by Roslyn Goldner.

Goldner began her investigation after Ms. Samra was physically assaulted by then Coun. Wendy Pratt as shown in above video.

“On February 27, 2017 I was assaulted by Coun. Wendy Pratt at a closed council meeting in front of nine witnesses,” Samra states. “At least six witnesses were interviewed by the RCMP and a video tape of the incident was marked into evidence that night. I sustained minor physical injuries”. “I was advised that Ms. Pratt was arrested and released on a promise to appear and an undertaking that she not attend my workplace at city hall, SARC and the Shaw auditorium.”

The sudden resignation by Coun. Pratt took place following the assault. Ms. Samra was advised that the criminal matter went to “diversion” and that Ms. Pratt is expected to make an apology to her.

Samra states that a prior assault by Pratt on Samra took place January 11, 2017, which was reported to the RCMP and taken to the Crown, but did not result in charges as there were no witnesses in the room.

“I filed this complaint after the Feb. 27 assault by Coun. Pratt so there would be a mechanism for this to stop, and to get Mayor McKay to stop targeting me,” says Samra. “I believe Mayor McKay needs to be held accountable for his conduct, as I am entitled to be treated professionally in my workplace in front of my staff and the public.”

“The Mayor has consistently made defamatory remarks about me in the media over the last 20 months calling into question my capabilities to do the job and my ethics.”

Ms. Samra maintains that the Mayor has also made disparaging remarks in public on multiple occasions about her to her colleagues at other institutions, including at an aboriginal graduation ceremony, a joint City-SD68, and at an RCMP panel in front of a representatives from Snuneymuxw First Nation.

“I went on leave after the assault by Coun. Pratt. I attempted to return to work on a limited basis,” Samra says. “I know now that I should have gone on leave after the first incident to address the anxiety and fear I faced going to work each day after months of targeted by Wendy Pratt, Diane Brennan and Bill McKay.”

“When the Report was released last week I made unprofessional comments that were overheard outside the boardroom. I apologize to those who heard my remarks.” Ms. Samra expects to remain on leave while Council considers the Report findings and what steps can be taken to address the toxic work environment.